Most of us use checklists on a regular basis. Maybe you create to-do lists so you know what tasks are on your plate at work. Perhaps you create a shopping list every time you go to the store.
We are all very busy and don’t always remember everything we need to do, so these memory aids keep us from forgetting. So wouldn’t it make sense if those who worked in challenging occupations—like surgeons—use checklists so they remember what needs to be done before, during and after a surgical procedure? Perhaps regular use of these checklists would reduce the number of medical malpractice cases. A checklist can help a team of medical professionals work together toward a common goal and most importantly, remember everything that needs to be done. Surgeries involve making incisions into the body—these are not minor procedures. They are very complex, and there are 10 major ways in which a surgery can go wrong. This is a frightening prospect for a patient. Why a Checklist? Surgeon Atul Gawande was asked by the World Health Organization to find a way to reduce deaths caused by surgical procedures. With so much innovative technology in the medical field, why are medical malpractice errors still occurring? Gawande realized that the issues likely had to do with complexity. When procedures are highly complex, they can affect a person’s ability to do the task safely and accurately. Aviation and other field use checklists, so that’s when Gawande decided to create a checklist that would assist surgeons with operations. Are Surgeons Using Checklists? The World Health Organization recommends that surgeons use the Surgical Safety Checklist. This checklist covers important items such as making sure the surgical site is marked, checking for allergies, anticipating critical events and checking for equipment issues. Unfortunately, there is often an issue of arrogance among doctors. Many believe they are above making basic errors and therefore refuse to use them. In fact, the usage rate in some medical facilities is as low as 50 percent. But by empowering nurses and having different departments responsible for completing the checklist, the checklist completion rate has increased to 100 percent. However, some doctors have gone around this rule by completing the forms in advance. This does nothing to help reduce the medical error rate, and should not be tolerated. A checklist is just a piece of paper, but when used properly, it can save lives—something that all medical professionals should aspire to do. Injured by Medical Malpractice? Contact Our Team Today Doctors may think they know everything, but sometimes steps are missed, especially when staff is in a rush. That’s why checklists should be utilized and monitored in all medical facilities to keep doctors accountable. A doctor’s error can lead to serious injuries and even death. Have you been injured by a doctor’s negligence? If so, the dedicated Miami medical malpractice lawyers at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum, LLP can help you with your case and determine your rights to compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
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AuthorDDRB Lawyers are a personal injury law firm located in Miami, Florida and specialize in representing victims of personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and serious injuries on premises. Archives
November 2021
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